People are quick enough to ditch plastic storage containers to go green but rarely pay attention to their plumbing.
Not many know that an inadequate or deteriorated plumbing system can harm the environment. Besides the environmental damage, old or worn-out plumbing fixtures and lines can expose household members to recurring illnesses. So, quick action needs to be taken to fix your plumbing issues.
Quite a few people have adopted green plumbing by installing eco-friendly fixtures to reduce environmental impact – but what’s that? From the environmental impacts of plumbing to retrofitting your residential space with eco-friendly fixtures, this article contains all the answers you’re looking for.
Environmental Impact Of Outdoor Plumbing
1. Depletion Of Drinking Water Reserve
Water is a precious yet limited resource, so we should spend it judiciously for our day-to-day operations.
Today, most homes use municipal water for household chores, be it cooking food or washing dishes. So, a large amount of water is wasted on tasks that could have been carried out with non-potable water.
On top of that, high water pressure is another reason behind the depletion of the drinking water reserve. Water wastage due to high pressure can be reduced by installing low-flow toilets, bathroom faucets, and shower heads.
2. Watershed Pollution
Water from the sewer pipes or the septic system, rainwater run-off management, downspouts, and wastewater from your backyard is often chock-full of contaminants like sewage and fertiliser. Such contaminants facilitate algae blooms, which can be minimised when you maintain the septic system regularly.
You should also water the lawn when necessary and collect roof run-off in barrels to reduce water loss.
3. Pest Upsurge
Blocked pipes, stagnant water and contamination provide a breeding ground for bacteria and pests.
Pest infestations are harmful to human health and destructive to the environment. Besides causing illnesses in humans, they feed on plants or grasses, damaging them completely.
Ensuring no stagnant water in the backyard or any part of your home is essential to prevent pest infestation. If your PVC pipes are blocked, unclog them by calling professionals immediately.
4. Energy Depletion
Besides depleting drinking water, plumbing systems consume more energy, which may lead to depletion.
Plumbing fixtures are mostly made of ceramic or metal and require a lot of non-renewable energy in the manufacturing process. So, the obvious solution is to upgrade the fixtures and prevent environmental damage by recycling old fixtures every time you remodel your space.
Eco-Friendly Plumbing: How To Reduce The Impact Of Plumbing
Outdoor plumbing causes hefty environmental damage, so people turn to eco-friendly plumbing to save money. That means people with a low environmental impact, thereby reducing their carbon footprint.
Here’s a quick rundown of a few eco-friendly plumbing solutions that will prevent water waste:
1. Tankless Water Heaters
An excellent alternative to traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters do not consume as much electricity for heating water as traditional units. These appliances heat water only when warm water is needed, meaning they don’t run 24/7 and guarantee effective water use.
Even better, they come with a long lifespan and can last for more than 20 years, so the chances of water leaks are low in the case of a tankless water heater.
2. Low-Flow Fixtures
A few homeowners have already installed low-flow fixtures because they save litres in water consumption.
Among the low-flow energy efficient plumbing fixtures are showerheads, toilets, and faucets. Upgrading every fixture at once will cost a lot of money, so we recommend revamping them gradually. But if you are prioritising water conservation and want to conserve resources, plumbing installations of water-efficient fixtures are a must!
3. Environment-Friendly Pipes
Metals like copper, iron, and PVC pipes are commonly used for clean water supply.
PVC water pipes are indeed recyclable but greatly harm the environment, whereas metal water pipes are environment-friendly and last a long time. Since they won’t deteriorate as quickly, their environmental impact is minimal.
Note metal pipes are susceptible to corrosion, usually after 50 years of use.
New eco-friendly plastic pipes will be the best alternative if you don’t wish to go for either of the two pipes. Polypropylene and polyethylene are the two main materials used in constructing eco-friendly pipes so that you can upgrade to them.
Protecting Our Planet: How Small Changes To Your Plumbing System Can Make A Big Impact
The impact of outdoor plumbing on the environment is vast. From depleting drinking water to exhausting non-renewable energy, plumbing systems damage the environment to a great extent. Even the health risks associated with the plumbing system are aplenty.
Upgrading to eco-friendly solutions is no doubt the best way to prevent deteriorated plumbing from devastating the environment. However, if you cannot afford to spend so much on upgrading to green technologies, regular maintenance can minimise plumbing problems and use less water.
Since plumbing is a complex network of pipes, you mustn’t take even a water leak lightly. We’d say so because delays in fixing plumbing problems can cause hefty damage to the foundations of your property.
Want help upgrading your plumbing system to be sustainable? Ready to install water-efficient plumbing fixtures? Talk to our Sydney plumbers at Fixed Today. Our team are passionate about eco-friendly solutions and sustainable plumbing practices and would love to discuss your outdoor plumbing options!
